Walks Programme 2006 Date Grade Title and Description Monday B Beinn Dubh and the Luss Horseshoe 2nd From start point cross A82 and climb up grassy ridge to Beinn Dubh; from the Beinn January follow the horseshoe down then up to Mill Hill. The path then slopes steeply down to Glen Luss where we follow the road back to Luss. Terrain: grassy hillside. Some peat hags on top. Tarmac road for the return journey. Distance: 10.5 km, duration: 5 hrs, total ascent 674 m to max. ht. 642m. Start point: Luss car park, OS map 56, Explorer 364, grid ref: 359932. 0900 HRS DEPARTURE FROM HELENSBURGH PIER Saturday C + Loch Ard Forest 7th Mainly forest roads near Loch Ard and in forest following some cycle tracks on a January circular route. Distance may be varied dependant upon the weather on the day. Terrain: varying tracks and forest roads. Distance approx. 18 km, max; duration 4 ½ - 5 hrs. Ht. Gained 250 m. Start point: Drymen Road Cottage car park on Gartmore Road. OS Map 57 / Explorer 347 & 365. 0900 HRS DEPARTURE FROM HELENSBURGH PIER Sunday B + Glen Finlas Circular (Beinn Ruisg [Redhill] to Balcknock) 8th A walk up the Finlas glen, passing the bronze age stone and the river gorge before January steeply ascending Beinn Ruisg and circling around to Balcknock. Descending via Craperoch to Glen Finlas following the probable path of the Clan McGregor raiding party which led to the battle of Glen Fruin in 1603. Terrain: tarmac roadway and rough farm track, ascending steep grassy hillside to hilltops with peat hags and boggy ground. Distance: 15 km, duration 5 ½ hrs, total ascent 900m to max. ht. 693m. Start point: first layby on A817/MOD road about 100 m from A82 junction. OS Map 56 / Explorer 347, grid ref: 352882. 0900 HRS DEPARTURE FROM HELENSBURGH PIER Saturday C + Inverarnan to Smuggler’s Cave via West Highland Way 14th Low level undulating track with good views of Loch Lomond; returning by outward January route. (hunt for Smuggler’s Cave optional - at grid ref NN335134 and at ht. 70 m). Distance: 13 km, duration 4 – 5 hrs, total ascent 300 m to max ht. 600 m. Start point: Inverarnan Inn car park, OS map 56 / Explorer 364 , grid ref: 319185. 0900 HRS DEPARTURE FROM HELENSBURGH PIER Sunday C Highland Edge Walk - circular 22nd Good forest tracks passing waterfall and then a short climb(10 mins at most) uphill to January where mast used to be! Back via Braeval and Aberfoyle Golf club to start point. Distance: 7 ½ km, duration 3 - 4 hrs, ascent approx 200m to max. 305m. Start point: David Marshall Lodge, Aberfoyle, OS Map 57 / Explorer 365; grid ref: 521014. Sunday B Carleatheran circular via Spout of Ballochleam 29th A steady uphill climb on farm track then circular route over open moorland to summit. January Terrain: farm tracks, open moorland with some boggy areas.Distance: 16 km, duration 5 ½ hrs, tot ascent 365m to max 485m. Start point: about 4 km down minor road turning S. off A811 by Mains of Boquhan. OS map 57, grid ref: 652922. 0900 HRS DEPARTURE FROM HELENSBURGH PIER Date Grade Title and Description Saturday A The Brack (probably from ‘breac’ meaning speckled) 4th From start point on forest track then climb steeply to a broad ridge. After traversing February the ridge, there is a final short but steep climb to the top. Descent is by grassy slopes to a forest track by Loch Long. Terrain: some forest tracks but mainly on rough grassy terrain. Very steep in places. Distance: 12 km (but will be shortened to 8 km if weather is bad), duration 6 hrs, total ascent 740 m to max ht. 787 m. Start point: Ardgartan car park (W. Of Arrochar on A83), OS Map 56, grid ref: 269037. 0900 HRS DEPARTURE FROM HELENSBURGH PIER Alternatively Ardgarten to Guanan Cat Creag loop extended to Guanan follows a sheltered and firm 4x4 track undulating C + through mature pine forest offering stunning glimpses of Glen Croe and then Loch Long. Terrain: almost exclusively forestry roads; one very short section of mountain path. Leader: Distance: 16 km, total ascent 374m to max: 188m. Start point: as above - and with same departure time Sunday C + Glen Ogle Trail 12th Outward along the route of disused Caledonian Railway track and returning along the February route of the old military road. Terrain: paths and tracks with short connections on public highway to and from car park. Distance 9 km, duration 3-3 ½ hrs, ascent 250m to max. 300m Start point: car park on A85 Lochearnhead to Crieff Road near The Watersports Centre. OS Map 51, grid ref: 592239. Saturday C + Glen Loin Circular 18th Route mainly on well made and forest tracks passing Stronafyne and roughly following February line of pylons. Turning left at junction to Corregrogain up to water works / reservoir catchment. Terrain: gradual incline at start then variable undulations. Distance: approx.17 km, duration 5½ hrs, ascent to max.300m Start point: car park at head of Loch Long opp. petrol station. OS Map 56 / Explorer 364, grid ref: 299048. Saturday B Uamh Bheag (Little Cave), GlenArtney (Perthshire) 25th A lowland hill with some good views to both north and south. Mainly trackless moorland February with a little roadwork. Terrain: few paths, a lot of tussocky grass, one steep climb, a burn to cross and all in open country. Distance 11 km. Duration 4½ hrs, ascent 500m to max. 664m. Start point: Glen Artney Church car park. OS Map 57, grid ref 712161. 0900 HRS DEPARTURE FROM HELENSBURGH PIER 1½ hr drive to start via Stirling by-pass, A9 north to A822 signed Crief, Braco. Then B827 signed Comrie; c8 miles small sign on left to Glen Artney. Saturday C West Highland Way north of Rowardennan 4th An undulating woodland walk along the east shore of Loch Lomond close to and March above the Loch. Terrain: well worn woodland paths with rocks and roots in places. Distance: 12 km, duration 5 hrs, ascent 120 m to max. ht 120m. Start point: Rowardennan car park. OS Map 56 / Explorer 364, grid ref: 359986 Date Grade Title and Description Sunday B Cnoc Coinnich 5th A walk up Coilessan Glen on track and a steep footpath onto moor or lairig. March Trackless grassland to summit with dominant all round sector views from rarely climbed nearby peak. Terrain: some 3 km on grassy moor and steepish final approach to top; can be soggy in parts in bad weather. Distance: 8 km, duration 5 hrs, ascent 640 m to max. Ht. 761 m. Start point: Parking at limit of public vehicular access (unmarked on maps) driving from Ardgarten Centre. Coilessan “Events” parking - west bank of Loch Long. Os Map 56 / Explorer 364, grid ref: 259011. Saturday C + Antonine Wall 11th This is a continuation of the walk in the last programme with a slight overlap at March start and finish. The route follows the Antonine Wall from Kilsyth to Banknock, returning by the canal path. Terrain:Mixture of minor road, farm road, track and canal path with generally easy walking in some open moorland, some farmland and finally alongside the canal. istance: 14 km, duration 4½ hrs, ascent 150m to max. Ht. 147m. Start point: car park on left off B802 Kilsyth - Croy road shortly before the R. Kelvin and canal - travel time from H’burgh 1¼ hrs. OS Map 64, grid ref: 720771. Saturday A Beinn Tharsuinn and Beinn Lochain 18th Starting on road and track then a short but steep climb to 475m, followed by a high March level circular walk over grass and rocks to Beinn Lochain. There's a steep descent to the lochan followed by a forest walk back to road. Terrain: Grassy hills, some steep descents. Rough walking with tracks at the beginning and end of walk. Distance: 12km, duration 6 hrs, total ascent 775m to max. ht. 697m. Start point: At junction nr. Lettermay, approx. 2 km past Lochgoilhead on the road to Carrick Castle - parking limited. OS Map 56 / Explorer 363, grid ref: 188002. 0900 HRS DEPARTURE FROM HELENSBURGH PIER Or alternatively C+ Lettermay to Carrick Castle A walk mostly through charming woodland close to Loch Goil as far as ancient Carrick Castle. Road all the way but little traffic. Return by same route. Terrain: tarmac road. Distance: 13 km, duration 4 ½ hrs, total ascent 327m to max ht. 47m. Start point: At junction nr. Lettermay, approx. 2 km past Lochgoilhead on the road to Carrick Castle - parking limited. OS Map 56 / Explorer 363, grid ref: 188002. 0900 HRS DEPARTURE FROM HELENSBURGH PIER Saturday C + Kirkton Glen to Glen Dochart 25th A variation on this ever popular walk starting at Rob Roy’s grave, proceeding over March forest track and then open hill to Lochan an Eireannaich (Lake of the Irishman) from where there are fine views. Thereafter we descend to Glen Dochart and are picked up near Ledcharrie Farm on the A85 (Crianlarich to Lochearnhead road). Terrain: commencing on good forestry roads, then tracks over modest inclines; on the descent faint tracks over possibly boggy areas. Distance: 16 km, duration 5 hrs, total ascent 400m to max 600m. FOR THIS WALK WE WILL UTILISE MINI-BUS TRANSPORT AND THOSE INTERESTED SHOULD CONTACT LEADER (tel: 01436 676022) NO LATER THAN THURSDAY 23RDMARCH. THERE IS A CHARGE FOR MINI-BUS TRANSPORT. Date Grade Title and Description Sunday A Beinn Eunaich and Beinn a'Chochuill 26th Two Munros. March Terrain: Path on lower slopes and then on trackless mountains. Distance: 11 km, duration 8 hrs, total ascent 1169m to max ht.